Ring tray for dental use



Jan. 12, 1954 J. L- WELDON RING TRAY FOR DENTAL USE Filed Oct. 22, 1952 INVENTOR. Jfluss LEE waned.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. 12, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RING TRAY FOR DENTAL USE James Lee Weldon, West Branch, Mich. Application October 22, 1952, Serial No. 316,237

1 Claim.

This invention relates to dental accessories and has particular reference to a material handling tray which may be supported on the thumb or finger of an operator while filling teeth, forming prophylaxes, and other dental and gum operations.

An object of the invention is to provide a material handling tray with supporting means, which is at all times within easy reach of the operators working hand, whereby to facilitate the application of rapid setting plastics and obviate the possibility of waste and loss of material in transporting them from remote positions on the operators work table to the patients mouth.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the time element involved in making application of plastic fillings, dental cleaning compounds, and medications.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character indicated, which may readily be molded from a suitable material which is chemically stable in the presence of conventional plastics now employed in the filling of teeth.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dental accessory which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and emcient in use.

It will be understood that various modifications of the invention may be made in order to accomplish slightly diflerent results. all of which are within the contemplation of the invention.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages oi. the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, reference being made from time to time to the accompanying drawings forming part of the within disclosure, in which drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention, mounted on the thumb of the left hand 01' the operator.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a left side elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a right side elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a section taken through a modified form of a device embodying the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will be understood that in the embodiment herein disclosed, the reference character 1 generally indicates the device embodying the invention, which is mounted on the thumb 8 of the 2 operators hand 9. The device 1 consists of a body portion [0, which is of such depth and breadth as to permit the formation therein of a comparatively deep well II, and a comparatively shallow well 12. The deep well H is intended to hold liquid solvents and the comparatively shallow well I2 is intended to carry powdered plastic for use in making plastic fillings. In order to prevent the liquid solvent from inadvertently getting into the well containing the powdered plastic, I provide a transverse V groove l3, which cuts across the upper face of the body I0 between the wells I I and I2. This V-shaped groove I3 is intended to trap and carry away any of the liquid solvent that may spill over from the well i I should the device be tipped unnecessarily during its use.

The body portion I0 terminates in a pair of inwardly directed arcuate members M, the ends of which are spaced, as at I5, forming a split ring which has suflicient elasticity to permit the device to be slipped onto the operator's thumb, and held thereon by a gripping action.

Although I have shown the body portion In as having two wells, and an intermediate groove therein, it is also within the contemplation of the invention to provide the body ID with a single comparatively deep well I 6, in which an operator might carry medicated pastes or other materials used in dental operations. I also contemplate the use of a shallow tray H which is made of any suitable material and which can be press fitted into the top of the large single well N5 of the modified form shown in Fig. 6.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A device of the character described, comprising a unitary member of non-corrosive material, the lower portion of said member terminating in a pair of flexible elements forming a split ring, said member being provided with a comparatively thick body portion, there being a pair of wells formed in the upper face of said body portion, and a transverse groove in said body portion intermediate said wells.

JAMES LEE WELDON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hunt et al July 29, 1952 

